NHL Insider gives update on potential Rangers coaches including Gallant, and Tortorella By Anthony Scultore Dec 2, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella looks on from behind the bench against the Washington Capitals in the second period at Capital One Arena. The Capitals won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Pierre LeBrun is considered one of the top NHL Insiders in the game today. His latest article in
The Athletic provides a wide ranging update on some of the biggest coaching names out there, plus some interesting news on potential assistant coaches that may get interviews for vacancies.
Rangers Roundup: Gerard Gallant interviewed with Blue Jackets, Nils Lundkvist injury, and more By Anthony Scultore
The New York Rangers top coaching candidate has interviewed for another open job. Aaron Portzline of
the Athletic reports that Gerard Gallant met with the Blue Jackets last week via Zoom at the World Championships.
Latest on Rangers coaching search
Earlier this week I got a small update on the Rangers coaching search. We know of two interviews that took place, Gerard Gallant and Rick Tocchet with more expected. From what I could gather, there is no urgency on the part of the Rangers to hire a coach. This will be a thorough and detailed process that Chris Drury will follow.
The top rising candidates for NHL coach, GM jobs
Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images
If there s anything we know about NHL hiring practices, it s that they can be predictable. Since 2005-06, there have been 171 head-coaching changes in the NHL more than the NFL, NBA or MLB. However, 101 of the 171 new hires had previous head-coaching experience, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. That 59.1% rate of retreads is also the highest among the other three major men s professional sports leagues in North America.
So with three coaching vacancies already open this cycle the Arizona Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets and Seattle Kraken it s easy to guess who will get first looks. John Tortorella (who recently parted with Columbus after six years), Rick Tocchet (done in Arizona after four years) and Gerard Gallant (who took the NHL season off after being dismissed by Vegas in 2020) are going to be hot names. But other than them, who is next? And how about in management?